Scoil Éigse 2009
Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing, Music Schools
- Date
- 16 August 2009–21 August 2009
- Time
- 3:00 PM
- Location
- Tullamore Comhaltas
- Town
- Tullamore
- County
- Co. Offaly
- Country
- Ireland
- Contact
- Liza O'Shea
- Phone
- +353 1 280 0295
The 37th Annual Scoil Éigse organised by
Comhaltas takes place in Tullamore, August 16th to
21st, the week preceding Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
This Summer College of Irish traditional music is
the most comprehensive of its kind with classes on
the fiddle, concert flute, whistle, 2-row accordion,
concertina, uilleann pipes, harp, banjo, piano
accordion traditional singing in English and Irish,
set dancing, traditional dancing, accompaniment
and Irish Language.
The Scoil Éigse is a phenomenal development through which hundreds of Irish people as well as many visitors from foreign lands, come to a better and deeper understanding of Irish music and culture.
There is no age limit at the Scoil Éigse and certainly no generation gap. Enthusiasm knows no age barriers and whether you are keen on learning sets or making a comeback on the accordion you will find fellow pupils to join you in a session, to exchange tunes, songs or steps.
Schedule
Each day’s programme – commencing at 10am, includes two classes (on the various instruments, singing, dancing and Irish Language) with a third session given over to either recitals or a choice of workshops. The workshops are designed to give participants a broad understanding and appreciation of the more important elements in Irish traditional music.
The School ends with the Scoil Éigse Concert on Friday morning, 21st August 2009 which features all of the Éigse tutors.
Who may take part?
Beginners are accepted only in the dancing and
traditional singing streams. On the various
instruments only those who can play reasonably
well are accepted, and the emphasis is on improving
their traditional techniques and their knowledge and
understanding of the music. There are two or more
classes on each of the instruments (listed in
paragraph 1), catering for pupils who might be
respectively described as ‘improvers’ and advanced.
Of course ‘advanced’ pupils in traditional singing
and dancing are also catered for.
Irish Singing and Language
As well as a sean-nós class which caters for both slow and lively songs there are also a couple of Irish language classes which are proving very popular. A beginners’ class in Irish will be provided, if required
Dancing
One of the most popular streams in the Scoil Éigse is the traditional dancing section which covers the various regional sets as well as the best in céilí (figure) dancing and some simple steps of the various traditional solo dances – hornpipe, reel, jig, set dances, etc.
Club
Club na hÉigse takes place each night at 8:30pm to 10:15pm. All are welcome to join in lively sessions of traditional music, singing and dancing. Solo items from top-class artists also feature each night. This is preceded by a “Slow Session” workshop, commencing at 7.45pm which will feature session tune sets from the popular Comhaltas Foinn seisiún books/recordings
Enrolling
The enrolment fee details are shown on the application form. Those who pay the full fee before August 1st may do at the special early registration rates. The fees cover attendance at all Scoil Éigse classes and workshops including Club na hÉigse
NB Because of the difficulties caused by the last-minute enrolments in recent years, it has been decided that only those who enrol by August 8th can be guaranteed places at the Scoil Éigse.
Scholarships
Comhaltas Scholarships are offered to those
qualifying for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in the 12-
15 and 15-18 grades in the singing and solo
instrumental grades (instruments listed in paragraph
1 above), and Comhrá Gaeilge (13-15 and 15-18)
competitions. Scholarship applications must be
received at Comhaltas headquarters by August 1st.
Scholarship students paying for accommodation and
meals are entitled to the accommodation for 5 nights
arriving Sunday and departing on Friday morning.
Meals included are breakfast, packed lunch and an
evening meal.
Applications
Completed application forms should be returned to:
An Cultúrlann
32 Belgrave Square
Monkstown
Co Dublin
not later than August 8th.
Accommodation
Enquiries about accommodation for the period of the Scoil Éigse should be directed to the Fleadh Office, Tullamore Co. Offaly +353(0) 57 9325704 or email info@fleadh2007.com. Early booking of accommodation is advised.